Cafe silk and black lace corset fishtail wedding dress for Jessica
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This week is my wedding anniversary, so I`m taking a trip down memory lane.
A few years ago, my spouse and I had an anniversary photoshoot. In the run-up to my actual wedding, I`d had so much dressmaking to finish - not just my dress, but also:
🌸four bridesmaids dresses
🌸a flower girl dress
🌸waistcoats for the groom and three page boys
🌸plus three paying clients on top
On the day, my dress was finished and wearable, but not quite as it should have been.
The original concept for the dress included hand-embroidered fuchsias all up the train, and I just didn`t have enough time. Lockdown finally gave me the chance to finish it properly, and this anniversary photoshoot was, in part, to celebrate that.
It was only this year, going through old photos, that I found these two images side by side. And then more, all mirroring each other.
Almost 15 years apart.
Shot in the same location.
And with technically the same people - though I think it`s safe to say we`ve grown and changed in so many ways as individuals, and as a couple, during that time.
From two teenagers stepping out into the world together, to us now, with our family, our friends and our enduring love.
Maybe this is your sign to get your wedding photos out again and relive those precious memories 💖
Now photographer: @altweddingco
Then photographer: Chris Cormack
A bustle this pretty deserves a pretty name 🌸
If your wedding dress is floor length or longer, a bustle is not only a really practical feature to add, it can also transform your gown.
For Emily I did an overbustle with five points. These kinds of bustle usually go up to the waistline, but we brought it down, so if you want a `proper` term, it would be a low five-point overbustle (or American bustle).
But I like to simply call it a petal bustle - a much prettier name, and it`s what it looks like.
You can tell it`s going to move amazingly on the dancefloor 🪩 ✨
if you`d like to find out more about what`s possible with your dress, the link to book a consultation is in my bio.
Emily exudes joy, so her dress had to reflect that beautiful personality - and I think we nailed.
Our base was a second-hand wedding dress I`d bought to dip dye and display in my shop. But before I could even put it up in my shop window, Emily was in to try it on!
We took in the bust for a better fit, shortened the bodice and hems, and then came the really fun part. She chose this beautiful range of colours, from blush pink all the way to royal purple, for her dip dyed skirt.
I love how coordinated Emily`s whole bridal look is - matching pink and purple bouquet, flower crown and even hair! And of course, her sweet pooch had a pink harness and leash as well. What a cutie 🐶🩷
Are you dreaming of a wedding dress that`s a little (or a lot) outside the box? Drop me a message - I`d love to help you make it happen 🥰
Photography - @oddshoephotography
Hair - Rebecca Day Hair
Scroll to the end for the result!
Thank you to everyone for their input. As it turns out, the bride who bought this dress agreed with the majority vote, so I got to dip dye this second hand wedding dress with a beautiful gradient of pinks and purples.
What do you think of the result? Do you think we made the right decision?
I`ll be posting photos from the bride`s wedding day next (there`s a dog, so you really don`t want to miss out).
Follow along for more colourful bridal inspiration💜
#sustainablebride #coolbride #weddinginspo #modernbride #bridalstyle#prelovedweddingdress #slowfashion #sustainableluxury #prelovedbridal #secondhandweddingdress #alternativeweddingdress
When it`s wedding season my schedule gets even busier than normal. My whole life is spent at my studio, sewing until the small hours.
Luckily I love my job! 😅
Christopher Nolan`s The Odyssey is everywhere you look right now, including all the discourse around the costumes. It brought to my mind one of my own bridal creations, inspired by history but also undeniably modern.
Just like the costume design in The Odyssey, I wasn`t going for historical accuracy here. I took inspiration from the pleating of ancient Grecian clothing, and the golden adornments of the Egyptians. But the under bust corset and the asymmetry of this wedding dress means you certainly wouldn`t have found it in either of those ancient civilisations.
Can you imagine a wedding dress like this on the big screen?
~
Suppliers
Photographer - Jamie Edward - @jamieedwardphotography
Venue - RSA House - @rsaweddings
Concept, Design & Shoot Coordinator - With Akilah & Co - @weddings_akilahandco
Videographer - Alfie`s Visuals - @clique_visuals
Content Creator - The Wedding Storyteller - @weddingstorytellerco
Florist - Fleur De La Couture - @fleurdelacouture
Delivery & Logistics Team - Middlemen Logistics - @middlemenlogistics
Hair Stylist - Hair By Duboux - @hair_by_duboux
Makeup Artist - Melinda Bridal - @melindabridal
Jewellery - Catherine Marche - @catherinemarche
Cake - Peboryon - @bluepumpkincalligraphy
Linen, Napkins & Furniture - Hallmark Hire - @hallmarkcateringandequipmenthire
Models - @dom_dht & @yanapenrose
Celebrant - Dave The Celebrant - dave_the_celebrant
Bespoke Dress Maker - Felicity Westmacott - @felicitywestmacott
Bride Accessories - Saint Beth Official - @saintbeth2
Confetti - Confetti Club London - @confetticlublondon
Newspapers - Photo Press - @photopressuk
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
from design to completionbespoke wedding dressesFelicity Westmacott
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
Dorking, RH4 1RT241 High Street• Visit the Studio •
emailme@felicitywestmacott.co.ukTEL 07762 543230TOUCHGet in
NicoleThey’re divorced. Do not feel these photographs are appropriate to display.
woozelsmudgeHi Nicole, Thanks for your comment. I only ever show photos of past clients with explicit permission, which was obtained before publishing these. At any time my client can be in touch if she would like the images taken down, but perhaps she prefers to celebrate her beautiful dress and support my business in these difficult times, even if the marriage has now ended.